Family Life
Deacon
Tom and Gini Schultz – Co-Directors
Catholic Center
795 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203-1215
Phone: 716-847-2210 / Fax: 716-847-2206
E-mail: familylife@buffalodiocese.org
The purpose of the Family Life Department is to prepare for, promote and enhance Christian Marriage and family living as well as to minister to those individuals and families afflicted by divorce or death of one of the spouses.
Programs and Services
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The Family Life Department recommends the use of the resource, "Perspectives on Marriage" (1998 edition) adaptable on the parochial, regional or vicariate level; can be used individually with a sponsor couple, in a group gathering for at least three (3) evenings or a one (1) day session. Each format is geared toward 8˝ hours altogether. Topics include communication, conflict resolution, family of origin, marital roadblocks, sacramental commitment and spirituality. Parish based training for leaders is available bi-monthly.
Family Life works in collaboration with other marriage preparation programs. These include Catholic Engaged Encounter, Journey Into Love, and parish based programs.
Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend designed for couples who are preparing for marriage. This weekend fulfills the marriage preparation requirements of the Diocese of Buffalo. The dates for 2007 are March 2 – 4, April 13 – 15 and October 26 – 28, 2007. All weekends will be held at St. Columban’s, Derby. For more information call Randy and Judy Bergman at 716 542-4168.
"Journey Into Love is held monthly at St. Columban Center in Derby. The dates for 2007 are September 16, October 21, November 11 and December 9. The dates for 2008 are: January 27, February 24, March 9, April 26 & 27, May 18 & 31, June 1 and June 8. For more information and to register call 947-4708. Three Saturday Journey Into Love Programs are available at The Center of Renewal, Stella Niagara. The dates are June 14, 21 and 28. For more information and to register call 847-2210."
Resources for couples unable to attend traditional marriage preparation classes are available.
Catholic Marriage Preparation on-line information. For more information call Christian and Christine Meert at 1-866-425-7193. To register online, http://www.CatholicMarriagePrepOnline.com.
For a brochure call 847-2210.
CANA II is a marriage preparation program designed for couples where at least one person was previously married and who are now free to marry again by reason of a Church annulment or the death of one’s spouse. This peer ministry program is given by a trained remarriage team primarily on a couple to couple basis. The resource utilized "A Redeemed State" deals with critical issues that include step-parenting, multiple sets of in-laws, and the challenges of blending families. Registration completed on an individual basis by contacting your Family Life Department.
WORLD MARRIAGE DAY is observed in February. Liturgical suggestions and ideas for celebrating the gifts of Christian marriage and family are provided annually to parishes or individuals.
http://wmd.wwme.org. Look for button wmd:clergy/familylifepackageWORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER weekends offer a couple an opportunity to deepen one’s love relationship with each other and God as well as revitalizing one’s marriage using a technique of loving communication. Brochures available. www.wwme.org/
The weekend dates for 2006 are: August 25 – 27 at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua, NY, November 3 – 5, Ramada Inn, Dunkirk, NY and December 8 – 10 at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canadaigua, NY. For further information call Lisa and Bob at 743-2711.
JUBILERIANS: Annual recognition of couples celebrating their 50th, 60th, and 70 plus anniversaries of marriage with Mass and reception to follow. Families are welcome to attend with honorees.
Wedding Anniversary Mass will take place Sunday, November 5, 2006 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. A reception will follow at the Buffalo Convention Center. Family and friends are welcome. Honorees have their photo taken with Bishop Kmiec. There is no cost for this event.
TEAMS OF OUR LADY is a program that seeks to promote authentic married love that not only leads to God but also to a more intimate and enriching relationship with one’s spouse. For information/brochures contact Mike & Vida Frysz at 632-6478 or e-mail at mvfrysz@gmail.com.
Enrichment programs, workshops or presentations focusing on various topics to support, promote, reinforce and enhance the lived reality of one’s sacrament are offered by contacting the department.
RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) is a peer ministry program which consists of a weekend and several follow up sessions focusing on issues related to a couple’s emotional life such as disillusionment, anxiety, lack of communication. Other areas touched on include forgiveness, healing, conflict, trust, intimacy and sacrament. This is a Catholic program that welcomes couples of all faith expressions as well. Over 75% of participating couples are not only still together but definitely have improved their once strained marital relationship. Information, brochures and a video (available for loan for informational purposes) are offered through the Office. Go to www.marriagesaved.com for an overview of this program.
RESOURCES:
Marriage Spirituality Tune Up Packet Available: Jesus’ first miracle takes place at the Wedding Feast of Cana. John 2:1-12. Jesus changes the water into wine – the best wine! He changes the ordinary into the extraordinary. Every marriage whether months or 75 plus years has tune up needs. For your free practical useful packet with many suggestions and resources to enrich your marriage, contact your Family Life Department at 847-2210 or e-mail at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.
Marriage Moments: Short, concise, practical, helpful ideas to enhance your relationship are provided weekly. Reference your Chancery newsletter
ENTHRONEMENT OF THE SACRED HEART: An active spiritual program carried out in the home increasing personal and family devotion to the Sacred Heart. The core, the heart, the essence of the Enthronement is LOVE. For information contact Tom and Paula Radel at 633-3939.
Celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is held annually on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Location for Mass is at St. Aloysius, 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga. For time and celebrant contact Tom & Paula Radel at 633-3939.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING provides couples a safe effective means to achieve or avoid pregnancy and gain understanding of their gift of fertility. For information contact Catholic Fertility Care Centers of WNY at Sister’s Hospital—862-1944, Mercy Hospital—828-2438 or Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston—298-2385.
BISHOP COMMITTEE HOME VISITORS
The Bishop’s Committee Visitor’s Program 67th Annual Meeting & Luncheon will be held on Tuesday October 3, 2006 at St. Philip the Apostle. Time is 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Topic will be presented by Father Joseph Rogliano, Pastor of Fourteen Holy Helpers. His topic is "When God Doesn’t Answer Our Prayers". EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR FAMILY LIFE OFFICE AT 847-2210.
This program assists parents in the religious and moral training of their pre-school children. As part of the pre-baptismal class or at the baptism itself, free educational materials are given to the parents by a Visitor. Visitors meet twice yearly for updating, mutual support, liturgy, sharing and a Day of Reflection. The Bishop offers his encouragement and thanksgiving for this valuable ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo.
The Annual Meeting & Luncheon with Bishop Kmiec will take place on Tuesday October 3, 2006 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 950 Losson Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227. For more information call 847-2210.
BISHOP’S COMMITTEE DISCUSSION PROGRAM
BCDP is open to persons of all faith traditions. It is a discussion group that meets once a month from October–May. Meetings are facilitated by trained leaders and each meeting centers on a topic of a spiritual nature. This encourages personal growth; offers support; strengthens one’s faith and fosters the sharing of ideas and feelings all from a Catholic/Christian perspective. Sharing takes place in an accepting/confidential environment. Brochure and/or facilitator training is available.
M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing): A ministry designed for moms by moms to support and affirm women in the many roles of life as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends e.g. women bonded by their vocation and their Catholic faith gathering to share joys and struggles. Open meetings are twice monthly from September to May. Child care available. For information contact Dawn Iacono at 636-8987 or e-mail at DAWN5554@aol.com.
Development of family and parenting resources that are practical, easy to use and accessible to families are offered seasonally and coincide with the liturgical cycle of the church. They are designed to encourage the spiritual dimension of "ordinary" family life.
Catholic Men’s Fellowship: A ministry for men’s spirituality focusing on family, church and community. For more information call 635-8333 or e-mail www.SpiritIsCalling.org.
RESOURCES:
Parenting Perspective: Short, concise, practical and helpful ideas are provided weekly. These suggestions assist you in parenting skills and building family unity. Reference your Chancery newsletter.
Sunday Gospel Reflections and Intercessory prayers are provided based on the month’s scripture readings. These offer a family perspective and help you to prepare in advance for the coming Sunday liturgy. Reference the first of the month Chancery mailing.
Kids/Teen Grief
Group: Open to boys and girls age 5 and above who have
lost a family member of friend. Children are broken up
into age appropriate groups. Program is free.
Donations greatly appreciated. Friday evenings
RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) is a peer ministry program which consists of a weekend and several follow up sessions focusing on issues related to a couple’s emotional life such as disillusionment, anxiety, lack of communication. Other areas touched on include forgiveness, healing, conflict, trust, intimacy and sacrament. This is a Catholic program that welcomes couples of all faith expressions as well. Over 75% of participating couples are not only still together but definitely have improved their once strained marital relationship. Information, brochures and a video (available for loan for informational purposes) are offered through the Office. Go to www.marriagesaved.com for an overview of this program.
DivorceLINK: A peer ministry specifically for and to those separated/divorced – open to all persons of any faith tradition. It is during this difficult time we offer persons time to deal with grief, recover from turmoil and loss; rebuild their life again through the Levels program, open forum Rap support groups, various workshops, family activities and spiritual and social events. "No one should face the ordeals of separation or divorce alone."
For a brochure, newsletter, events, times, locations and/or a Separation/Divorce packet contact the Family Life Department at 847-2210.
SURVIVE: A program of bereavement care that can help widowed persons accept the reality of loss; deal with the pain of grief; adjust to a world without one’s spouse; moving from grieving to rebuilding their life; heal. The program consists of opportunities for spiritual and social events. All SURVIVE groups are open meetings. If you need support or have concerns feel free to come to any or all meetings. For a brochure, times, locations and/or Bereavement packet please feel free to contact your Family Life Department at 847-2210.
Bereavement Hotline: 332-0202
"YOUNG ADULT BEGINNING EXPERIENCE" is a weekend for persons age 16 and up who have experienced parental death, separation or divorce.
For more information contact Steve & Liz Wascak at (585) 237-5155 or Bob & Cathy Cobbett at (585) 872-6276. The next weekend is Friday October 27 – 29, 2006 at Harvest House, 1782 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY. For a brochure contact your Family Life Department at 847-2210.
"BEGINNING EXPERIENCE" is a weekend adapted to the formerly married and meant for persons who have worked through the first stages of grief after the death or separation/divorce of one’s spouse.
Call the Beginning Experience information line at (585) 987-1750. The next weekend is November 3-5, 2006 and will be held at the Rotary Sunshine Camp in Rochester. For a brochure contact your Family Life Department at 847-2210.
ANNULMENT COMPANIONS provide the extra support people need while going through a process that can be filled with questions, doubts, fears, anger, emotional uncertainty and heartache. Referrals provided.
Family Life is concerned about keeping the family unit together. We are also concerned about those family members experiencing difficulties or challenges eg. adoption, blended families, single parent families, dealing with in-laws, all types of abuse and more. We will provide referrals and resources.
If interested in presentations, workshops or days of reflection on various aspects of parenting, marriage issues, spiritual or pastoral issues contact the department.
Information, brochures or materials on any of these Family Ministries unless otherwise indicated are available through your Family Life Department.
We look forward to hearing from you!
God Bless You and Yours!